Staycation? How to Get the Most Out of Your Hometown Hotspots

Staying in town for the summer? Here are some great ideas to make your staycation feel extra special. Try something new and see your hometown from a fresh angle with photography fun, days out at farmer’s markets and getting silly with the kids on flea market scavenger hunts. With these ideas, staying will be the new going.

First off, set some ground rules. There will be no distractions this staycation. That means no phones, no email, no video games, no TV, no chores. This is family time – buckle in.

Tour your local museums and galleries

Hit up some local culture by tracking down your nearest museums and art galleries. Chances are there is some right on your doorstep that you never thought of visiting before. Learn about the world, discover a rich tapestry of history and take in works of art made by the masters. Local museums that focus on your particular area are always fascinating, showing you more about the place you live and its past than you ever realised before. Every town has a story to tell.

Visit a national park

The UK is home to some of the most staggeringly breathtaking national parks in the world, unrivaled in their diversity. From the high peaks of Snowdonia to the winding Yorkshire Moors, there is beauty to be found everywhere. Step outside and make a day of it wherever you’re closest national park happens to be. Depending on the weather and location there is a whole range of activities to be explored, whether it’s hiking and biking, swimming and boating, or a more leisurely picnic and stroll.

Go scavenging for treasures

Not just any treasures my friend – for there are certain unexpected gems that can be found in only one type of place, and that is at flea markets and farmers markets. There are hundreds of them popping up every day all over the United States, selling wonderous wares and tantalising trinkets all at bargain prices. Some of them offer food, music, and entertainment, allowing you to make a real day of it. They are curiously captivating places to go with or without kids, a little like exploring Aladdin’s cave, but without the risk of drowning in molten gold should you touch something expensive.

Try a new restaurant

This is supposed to be time off from your usual routine, so if you fancy treating yourself to a nice meal out, don’t go somewhere you’ve been before or go often. Try somewhere new. Sample that place you keep hearing good things about but haven’t been to yet, or even somewhere you wouldn’t normally consider. Be sure to see whether there are any good deals available on Groupon – you might just come across something spectacular. Take it one step further and order something you’ve never tried before. You daredevil, you.

Get into photography

Shift your perspective and make your town your muse. Whether you choose to use a digital camera or your phone, here are some ways to get striking shots:

Look for interesting patterns, textures and reflections

Go out at different times of day to see how the light changes. Early morning and just before sunset offer particularly good lighting

Take a trip to the spa

You’re on holiday – kind of – so it’s time to relax. What better way to do so than with a pampering massage, facial or dip in the pool? By staying at home you save money on the cost of travel and accommodation, so you can afford to spend extra on little luxuries. Groupon frequently has deals on spa visits, which often include lunch and bubbly as well. Another tip is to check the social media pages of your local spas to see if they have any discounts or package offers available. Then go slap some mud on your face and chill.

Whatever you choose to get up to on your staycation, try to find ways of experiencing your hometown through new eyes. There is so much out there to see if we will only look hard enough.

Have you been on your own staycation? What were your favourite activities? Let us know in the comments.

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About Us

Hollie Jones and Ivy Elliot are two best friends living in London, England. They met way back when they were children and have been inseparable ever since. With backgrounds in arts and media, they love all things lifestyle, unicorn macarons from arts and crafts and interior design to healthy living and fitness. They decided to work together to bring ‘Hollie and the Ivy’ to life, sharing their passions with like-minded people and having a lot of fun along the way.